Tensei: A Reborn V6-Powered Honda NSX Crafted by Pininfarina

Reborn Precision - Even in an age dominated by electrification and software-defined driving, there’s still a special thrill in seeing a familiar silhouette return to the spotlight. That feeling began some time ago, when a mysterious teaser circulated and hinted at a new project from JAS Motorsport. Recently, the company finally revealed the name behind that long-rumoured creation: Tensei, a Japanese word meaning “rebirth.” It’s a fitting title for a collaboration between JAS and Pininfarina — Honda’s longtime motorsport partner joining forces with Italy’s renowned design studio to revisit the Mk1 Honda NSX, a car forever linked to Ayrton Senna and the purity of early-1990s engineering. 

The JAS Tensei is built on an original first-generation NSX chassis, a deliberate choice that preserves the structural essence of the legendary model. (Picture from: JASMotorsport)

The project starts from an authentic place: each Tensei is built on an original first-generation NSX chassis, a deliberate choice that preserves the structural essence of the legendary model. From this foundation, Pininfarina constructs an all-new carbon-fibre body using advanced composite manufacturing techniques. The exterior keeps the original car’s compact mid-engined stance but expresses it with updated proportions, sharper surfacing, and significantly refined aerodynamics. Airflow has been completely re-evaluated using motorsport-grade simulations to enhance cooling efficiency, increase stability, and reduce drag — all while maintaining a form that still resonates with the spirit of the 1990 icon. 

The JAS Tensei, set for a 2026 unveiling, emerges as a modern reinterpretation of the iconic NSX, offering a renewed yet authentic character in an era rapidly shaped by new technologies. (Picture from: TopGear)

Beneath the sculpted carbon fibre sits a powertrain that honours Honda’s engineering roots. JAS Motorsport has developed a naturally aspirated V6 inspired by the C30A architecture of the original NSX, tuned for high responsiveness, linear delivery, and a wide rev range that rewards enthusiastic driving. This engine sends power to the rear axle through a six-speed manual gearbox, a conscious decision to retain the analog, mechanically connected feel that made the first NSX so admired. It reflects JAS’s stated philosophy that Tensei should blend modern capability with a driving experience rooted in direct engagement rather than electronic filtering. 

The JAS Tensei exterior keeps the original car’s compact mid-engined stance but expresses it with updated proportions, sharper surfacing, and significantly refined aerodynamics. (Picture from: JASMotorsport)

The influence of JAS’s three decades of competition work is just as evident in the chassis. The suspension, steering, and braking systems draw from the brand’s touring car and endurance racing development, integrating lightweight forged aluminium parts, carbon-composite elements, and competition-grade damping. These choices aim to deliver precise handling, consistent braking, and confident behaviour on both road and track. Inside, Pininfarina applies a driver-focused redesign using leather, Alcantara, and exposed carbon fibre. The cockpit embraces contemporary ergonomics while keeping analog instrumentation and a clean, decluttered layout that mirrors the philosophy of the original NSX. 

The JAS Tensei carries a sculpted carbon-fibre body over a powertrain that honors Honda’s engineering roots, featuring a naturally aspirated V6 developed by JAS Motorsport and inspired by the original NSX’s C30A architecture. (Picture from: JASMotorsport)

For JAS Motorsport, Tensei represents a major milestone: the company’s first street-legal vehicle after more than 30 years dedicated exclusively to racing. Each example will be hand-assembled in limited numbers at JAS’s Arluno facility, reflecting a commitment to craftsmanship as much as performance. With the official unveiling scheduled for 2026, the Tensei stands as a modern interpretation of a beloved supercar — neither a mere recreation nor a nostalgic echo, but a thoughtful renewal of a machine whose character still resonates in a world rapidly shifting toward new technologies. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | JASMOTORSPORT | JASMOTORSPORT IN X | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | TOPGEAR | TIME ATTACK MANILA IN FACEBOOK ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Apollo G2J Electric Supercar Breaks Cover with Dramatic Air Intakes

Electric Elegance - The automotive world has been buzzing with electric vehicle innovations, but few unveilings spark curiosity like a radical departure from a manufacturer’s traditional approach. Apollo Future Mobility Group (AFMG), long celebrated for its visceral, V12-powered hypercars, has taken a bold step into the electric era with its latest prototype: the Apollo G2J. This new electric supercar signals a fresh direction, merging Apollo’s signature design flair with cutting-edge EV technology. 

The Apollo G2J electric supercar signals a fresh direction, merging Apollo’s signature design flair with cutting-edge EV technology.. (Picture from: Autocar.co.nz)

Unlike the ferocious Intensa Emozione, which roared with a Ferrari-derived 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, the G2J leaves combustion behind entirely. At first glance, its enormous air intakes and aggressive stance might suggest a massive gasoline powertrain, but under its flowing carbon-fiber body lies a purely electric setup. Apollo engineers have clearly embraced a new philosophy—one where sleek aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and high-tech systems define the car’s identity. 

The Apollo G2J, with its massive air intakes and aggressive stance, conceals a fully electric powertrain beneath its carbon-fiber body, reflecting Apollo’s new focus on aerodynamics, lightweight design, and advanced technology. (Picture from: TopGear)

The G2J’s design is both dramatic and purposeful. Curved cooling intakes sweep from the front toward the rear doors, hinting at a centrally mounted electric motor. Traditional side mirrors have been replaced with cameras, offering a cleaner profile and modern functionality. From its butterfly doors to roof-mounted scoops and flared fenders, every detail is crafted with performance and style in mind. The rear houses a subtly integrated charging port nestled between U-shaped taillights, demonstrating that even futuristic design can be practical. 

The Apollo G2J features a driver-focused cabin combining carbon fiber, Alcantara seats, digital displays, and a sleek console with a bold red emergency button. (Picture from: Autocar.co.nz)

Inside, the prototype balances sportiness and sophistication. Exposed carbon fiber dominates the cabin, paired with Alcantara on the bucket seats, dashboard, and center console. The steering wheel is flat-bottomed and leather-trimmed in saddle brown, echoing the door belts. Three small screens on the right handle climate controls, while the start/stop button sits just above. A tablet-like display replaces traditional instruments, and corner screens show live feeds from the side cameras. Between the seats, a rotary knob, window switches, and buttons—including a conspicuous red emergency button—emphasize the car’s driver-focused interface. 

The Apollo G2J boasts a dramatic, purposeful design with sweeping curved intakes hinting at a central electric motor and camera-based mirrors for a sleek, modern look. (Picture from: Autocar.co.nz)

The Apollo G2J is still very much a work in progress, developed across Germany, Japan, and the United States. While exact technical specifications remain under wraps, the prototype demonstrates Apollo’s commitment to lightweight construction using carbon fiber and composite materials. It’s a clear preview of what the company envisions for future electric sports cars emerging from its R&D hub in Ingolstadt. The plan for a production version was expected in 2024, but updates have been scarce since then. | wzlv3fU_Pfs |

Though it may not yet be ready for production, the G2J embodies the spirit of innovation. It bridges Apollo’s hypercar heritage with the electric mobility future, hinting at what road-going electric sports cars might look like in the years to come. With its audacious design and forward-thinking engineering, the Apollo G2J isn’t just a prototype—it’s a glimpse into a new era of high-performance, electrified driving. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOCAR.CO.NZ | GLM.JP | TOPGEAR | INSIDEEVS | BLACKXPERIENCE | OBSCURESUPERCAR IN X ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

The Mysterious Bare-Metal Porsche 914 Custom: When Sculpture Meets Engineering

Enigmatic Craftsmanship - In a world where automotive design constantly swings between digital precision and nostalgic homage, there occasionally appears a machine so raw, so unapologetically human, that it seems to have escaped the sterile assembly line entirely. The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom is one such creation — a car that feels less like a product and more like a sculpture that somehow decided it wanted to move. Its first public appearance came not through glossy press releases or concours exhibitions, but through grainy photos shared by astonished internet users. What began as a curious Reddit post soon turned into a rabbit hole of speculation across 914World and other Porsche forums, as enthusiasts tried to piece together the story behind the shimmering ghost of brushed aluminum and obsessive craftsmanship.

The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom drew attention while on display at the 2013 Goodguys Car Show in Del Mar, California. (Picture from: DrivingLine)

Beneath that alien exterior lies what many believe to be the skeleton of a Porsche 914, the quirky mid-engine sports car born from a 1960s collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen. The original 914 was small, light, and mechanically unpretentious — characteristics that have long made it a darling among builders seeking to reinvent classic engineering. Yet this particular example doesn’t merely tweak or restore; it reinvents. The body, forged entirely by hand, trades the 914’s boxy utilitarian shape for fluid, futuristic lines that appear almost aerodynamic in motionless form. The aluminum skin, hammered and welded into sweeping curves, captures every glint of light like liquid metal. Where most builders hide their welds beneath layers of paint, this creator left the surface naked — a living record of labor, imperfection, and confidence. 

The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom roofline has been chopped, giving it the posture of a prototype racer, while the vented nose and recessed headlights evoke the boldness of 1970s endurance machines. (Picture from: ATBGE in Reddit)

The car’s personality radiates through its brutal simplicity. No chrome ornaments, no glossy finish — just metal, proportion, and intent. Its stance is wider and lower than the stock 914, suggesting that significant chassis surgery has taken place beneath the skin. The roofline has been chopped, giving it the posture of a prototype racer, while the vented nose and recessed headlights evoke the boldness of 1970s endurance machines. Observers have compared its shape to the Ferrari 512 BB or the De Tomaso Pantera, but its industrial finish sets it apart. The surface feels more aerospace than automotive, more workshop than showroom, as though the designer sought to merge the discipline of an aircraft engineer with the soul of a sculptor. 

The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom, forged entirely by hand, transforms the 914’s once boxy form into a fluid, futuristic sculpture of hammered aluminum that seems to flow like liquid metal even at rest. (Picture from: Pinterest)

Because no official documentation has surfaced, the mechanical heart of the car remains a matter of educated guessing. Builders who tackle projects of this scale often turn to mid-engine powertrains with real punch — Chevrolet small-block V8s for brute strength, Porsche flat-six units for heritage, or modern Honda K-series engines for balance and reliability. Given the car’s proportions and its aggressive cooling layout, it likely hides either a flat-six or V8, supported by a strengthened tubular frame to compensate for the aluminum body’s reduced rigidity. Whatever the setup, it’s safe to assume the result delivers more excitement than the humble four-cylinder the 914 left the factory with. 

The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom, with no official specs known, is thought to house a flat-six or V8 engine supported by a reinforced tubular frame for strength and balance. (Picture from: CarPorn in Reddit)

What truly fuels the intrigue, however, isn’t the hardware — it’s the mystery behind it. For years, online sleuths have tried to uncover the car’s origins, and one name continues to surface: Chris Thompson at his workshop in South California. A video featuring a convertible with nearly identical design cues credits Thompson as the builder, suggesting he may have been the visionary behind this striking creation. Some enthusiasts believe this bare-metal 914 was his personal experiment — a one-off masterpiece entirely hand-formed from aluminum over a Porsche 914 chassis. | VCZuf-lKGWo |

Others suspect the car has evolved through multiple hands and iterations since its original build. Yet even with these clues, the story remains hazy. Was Thompson a metal artist exploring the boundaries of automotive sculpture, or an engineer translating precision into raw form? In the world of bespoke builds, such quiet anonymity is hardly unusual; some of the most remarkable cars ever crafted began life not in studios or factories, but in workshops fueled by passion, solitude, and imagination. 

The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom has long fueled intrigue not for its hardware but its unknown origins, with evidence pointing to South California builder Chris Thompson, whose workshop and past convertible project share its unmistakable design DNA. (Picture from: 914World)

Understanding why this creation resonates requires revisiting what the Porsche 914 represents. For decades, it was the misfit of the Porsche family — mid-engined yet modest, nimble yet often overshadowed by its 911 sibling. But that same underdog status made it a blank canvas for reinvention. Builders across generations have seen in it an opportunity: a platform light enough to experiment with, but pure enough to express imagination without limits. From restomod projects like Luke Ray’s reinterpretation to wild V8 swaps and electric conversions, the 914 has evolved into a cult object of creative freedom. The bare-metal variant merely pushes that legacy to its farthest, most fearless edge. | B04ndNFFWQc |

There’s something poetic about a car whose identity is unknown yet instantly unforgettable. It reflects a truth that extends beyond the garage — that beauty and innovation can thrive in obscurity, that obsession itself can be a kind of signature. In a time when most vehicles are born from CAD files and corporate committees, this raw aluminum 914 reminds us what happens when a single human vision shapes steel with nothing but persistence, intuition, and a hammer. It is not just a car rebuilt; it is an idea reborn — proof that artistry still breathes beneath the surface of modern engineering. 

The mysterious bare-metal Porsche 914 custom stands as a reminder that even in an era of CAD precision and corporate design, true artistry can still be hand-forged from raw aluminum through vision, persistence, and craft. (Picture from: 914World)

If anyone out there happens to know more about this car — its origins, its builder, or its hidden story — feel free to share your insights in the comments below. Information in this article is based on publicly available sources, forum discussions, and community observations, and some details about its background remain unverified. After all, mysteries like this deserve to be solved together by the community that keeps the spirit of automotive creativity alive. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | 914WORLD | SPEEDHUNTERS | WIKIPEDIA | CARPORN IN REDDIT ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Auto Speciali’s Rare Creations: The Story Behind the Veleno / Predator

Obscure Ingenuity - Every era has its own way of experimenting with mobility, and today’s world of electric crossovers and tech-driven cabins makes it easy to forget how wildly creative the custom-car scene once was. Long before digital design studios or viral social media builds, there were handcrafted machines shaped by imagination, stubborn passion, and a bit of daring. That atmosphere is what paved the way—indirectly yet unmistakably—for two fascinating vehicles known as the Valeno / Predator.

The Auto Speciali Veleno was created by Auto Speciali Ltd using the original mold derived from the Chamberlain Searcher One. (Picture from: Rarecomponentcars)

Their story traces back to the distinctive Chamberlain Searcher One, a bespoke car originally created for a basketball player whose towering height demanded unusual proportions. Its silhouette was so unconventional that it seemed more like a prop from a film set than a road-going machine. Although the Searcher One itself never evolved into a mass-produced model, its design spark didn’t entirely fade. Martin Slater, the mind behind Lyncar, quietly preserved the original blueprints long after the one-off car had been completed. Those drawings would eventually be sold to a colleague who saw potential in reimagining the concept for a new generation of enthusiasts.

The 1986 Chamberlain Searcher One was a bespoke car built for Wilt Chamberlain, whose exceptional height required a uniquely proportioned design. (Picture from: Silodrome)

That opportunity took shape in Worcestershire when Auto Speciali Ltd. was founded in 2006. Rather than replicating the Searcher One outright, the company distilled its essence into two related but distinct cars: the Valeno / Predator. As the Valeno was offered as a kit, appealing to hands-on builders who enjoyed crafting a machine piece by piece, while the Predator arrived as a fully assembled turn-key car for those who wanted the finished product without the garage-time commitment.  

The Auto Speciali Veleno is built on a custom spaceframe and powered by engines ranging from Toyota MR2 units to Ford V6s and V8s, with many of its components sourced from the Ford Granada. (Picture from: Rarecomponentcars)

Both carried echoes of the Searcher One’s unusual form, yet they were grounded in practicality. Instead of relying on purpose-built components, they integrated engines and parts from models that owners could readily source and maintain. Unit choices ranged widely—from compact Toyota MR2 powertrains to Ford V6 and V8 setups—supported by components pulled from everyday cars such as the Ford Granada. The result preserved the bold personality of the original design but placed it within the reach of regular drivers and builders.

The Auto Speciali Veleno was offered solely as a kit car, and between 2006 and 2010 it was sold to only four buyers. (Picture from: Rarecomponentcars)

Despite that accessible approach, the Valeno or Predator remained rare sightings. Only four Valeno kits and a handful of Predator models were ever sold, and production tapered off around 2010. Auto Speciali’s portfolio during its short run branched into other niche creations as well, including the AS 427, a respectful tribute to the legendary AC Cobra. The company frequently collaborated with other boutique car builders, moving through a sequence of partnerships—Fiero Factory in the late ’90s, Euro 427 Sports Cars in the early 2000s, back to Fiero Factory, then Venom Sports Cars, and eventually Vindicator Cars after 2010. Across all these ventures, roughly a thousand vehicles emerged under various names, each carrying its own corner of small-batch automotive character. 

The Auto Speciali AS 427, a respectful tribute to the legendary AC Cobra crafted by the automaker during its short run. (Picture from: 7Car.tw)

But even with that modest output, the momentum eventually slowed. Auto Speciali dissolved in 2011, leaving partners like Vindicator Cars to continue on their own path. The lineage tied to the Searcher One, however, gradually receded from public memory. The Valeno or Predator—brief flashes of creativity inspired by a forgotten blueprint—never became icons, yet they occupy an intriguing space in the tapestry of modern automotive history. They represent a moment when artisans attempted to revive an obscure idea, not to chase trends or commercial success, but because the original design deserved another chance to live.

Today, these cars survive mostly through scattered photos, old forum posts, and the occasional enthusiast who recalls seeing one in person. That faint presence only adds to their charm. The Valeno or Predator remind us that the automotive world isn’t shaped solely by the models that fill today’s showrooms or dominate auction headlines. Sometimes its most compelling stories come from the machines that flicker briefly, touch a few lives, and then quietly step out of the spotlight—leaving behind a trail of curiosity for anyone who loves the odd, the rare, and the beautifully unexpected. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | NYTIMES | GREYFLANNELAUCTION | AXIALFLOW | SILODROME | RARECOMPONENTCARS | MADABOUT-KITCARS | 7CARTW | DRIVE2.RU | CLASSICANDRECREATIONSPORTSCARS | REDDIT ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Aspark Owl Roadster: The Quickest Open-Top EV of Today

Electrified Ferocity - There’s something undeniably magnetic about the way modern car culture shifts toward silence and speed at the same time. For decades, open-top performance machines thrived on the roar of combustion, yet today the world’s most extreme thrills increasingly come from vehicles that don’t make much noise at all. This contrast — the nostalgia of wind-in-your-hair driving and the futuristic punch of instant electric torque — sets the stage for one of the most staggering creations of the modern EV era: the Aspark Owl Roadster. 

The Aspark Owl Roadster is not just benchmarks of performance; they are statements about where electric propulsion can go when limits are treated as challenges rather than boundaries. (Picture from: Motor1)

Born from a Japanese engineering ambition that always seems to chase the outer edges of possibility, the Owl Roadster steps into a rarefied circle of electric hypercars that includes giants like the Lotus Evija, Pininfarina Battista, and Rimac Nevera. These machines are not just benchmarks of performance; they are statements about where electric propulsion can go when limits are treated as challenges rather than boundaries. Aspark, a company with a background in advanced engineering rather than mass-market carmaking, approaches the electric hypercar landscape with a kind of fearless precision — and the Roadster showcases that mindset at full force as a natural evolution of its sibling Coupé launched in 2019.

The Aspark Owl Roadster design leans into aerodynamic aggression, a sleek carbon-fiber shell sculpted with lines that look as if they were shaped by high-speed airflow rather than human hands. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

Without a roof, the character of the vehicle transforms dramatically. The design leans into aerodynamic aggression, a sleek carbon-fiber shell sculpted with lines that look as if they were shaped by high-speed airflow rather than human hands. The exterior appears stretched taut over the mechanical violence beneath it, while the open configuration turns the cabin into a raw sensory chamber. Aspark describes this setup as a way of becoming “one with the road,” and it fits: every gust of wind, every vibration, every rising note of speed is amplified when the sky becomes part of the driving experience.

The Aspark Owl Roadster exterior appears stretched taut over the mechanical violence beneath it, while the open configuration turns the cabin into a raw sensory chamber. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

Underneath that sculpted body lies a layout meant to intimidate on paper and overwhelm in motion. Four individual electric motors, working independently yet in perfect coordination, unleash 1,953 horsepower and 1,920 Nm of torque the instant the accelerator is pressed. The numbers that follow almost read like misprints: 0–100 km/h in 1.78 seconds, 0–200 km/h in 4.76 seconds, and 0–300 km/h in just 9.74 seconds. Aspark claims a theoretical top speed of 413 km/h, though customer vehicles will be dialed back electronically to 350 km/h — still more than enough to reorder your sense of reality.

The Aspark Owl Roadster packs an intimidating setup beneath its sculpted body, with four synchronized electric motors delivering 1,953 horsepower and 1,920 Nm of torque the instant you press the accelerator. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

What’s perhaps most remarkable is that all of this power sits inside a structure engineered with the obsessive detail of a racing prototype. A carbon-fiber monocoque forms the spine of the Roadster, providing rigidity without unnecessary weight. The suspension uses a double-wishbone system with adjustable ride height, ranging from a street-friendly 160 mm down to a track-focused 80 mm. Massive carbon-ceramic brakes, complete with 10-piston calipers at the front, reign in its fury, and an active rear wing adapts its stance based on speed and driving demands. Even the drive modes show range — from calm Snow settings to full attack configurations intended for maximum performance.

The Aspark Owl Roadster channels its immense power through a carbon-fiber monocoque structure engineered with racing-grade precision to deliver exceptional rigidity without unnecessary weight. (Picture from: Motor1)

Despite carrying a 69-kWh battery and all the hardware required to manage nearly 2,000 hp, the car maintains a weight of just 1,900 kg. It’s heavy by sports-car standards but impressively lean for a machine operating in this extreme performance territory. And while interior details are traditionally minimal on hypercars, here the focus is on maximizing sensation rather than overflowing with luxuries. The cabin becomes a command zone designed around visibility, stability, and the pure feel of speed rather than elaborate embellishment. 

The Aspark Owl Roadster shapes its interior as a focused command zone that prioritizes sensation, visibility, stability, and pure speed over any form of lavish embellishment. (Picture from: Motor1)

What truly elevates the Owl Roadster beyond its mechanical theatrics is its place within the current era. Electric performance cars are often defined by silent efficiency, autonomous features, and the polished predictability of modern software. Yet the Owl Roadster pushes against that stereotype and reintroduces something primal: unpredictability, exhilaration, and the human element. It reflects a moment in automotive history when EVs are no longer merely alternatives to combustion engines but platforms for emotional, unfiltered driving experiences that weren’t supposed to exist in the electric age.

The Aspark Owl Roadster heightens its mystique through extreme rarity, with estimates placing its price well above $3.5 million and production limited to just 20 units. (Picture from: CarBuzz)

Its rarity reinforces its mystique. Early estimates place its cost well above $3.5 million, and production is expected to stop at just 20 units. That level of exclusivity places it among the most unattainable EVs ever built, exceeding even the price tags of other electric hypercar titans. For most people, it will remain something to observe from afar — a technological flex, a symbol of what’s possible when a company decides not just to compete, but to astonish. | ETqBAWAnpIo |

The Aspark Owl Roadster may not change the world in terms of global EV adoption or practical mobility, but it does something arguably more culturally profound: it reimagines what an open-air supercar can feel like in an era where electricity rules. It bridges the emotional past of roadsters with the electrified future of performance, proving that innovation doesn’t have to lose its sense of thrill. It shows that even in a world leaning toward quiet efficiency, there is still room for wild machines built not for necessity, but for the sheer joy of pushing limits. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ASPARKCOMPANY | EN.ARABGT | CARBUZZ | TOPGEAR | MOTOR1 ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.

Evanta Barchetta: A Modern Revival of 1950s Motorsport Elegance

Retro-Styled Escape - There’s something irresistibly magnetic about the way classic machines whisper stories of the past — the roar of their engines, the glint of their chrome, the unapologetic curves that once defined an era obsessed with speed and elegance. In today’s world of electric silence and digital dashboards, the idea of reviving that timeless spirit feels almost poetic. 

The Evanta Barchetta emerged as a hand-built celebration of 1950s motorsport design, fusing vintage aesthetics with modern precision. (Picture from: SupercarWorld)

That’s exactly what the Evanta Barchetta set out to do — not just to recreate a car, but to resurrect an attitude. Born from Britain’s enduring fascination with craftsmanship and motoring heritage, the Evanta Barchetta emerged as a hand-built celebration of 1950s motorsport design, fusing vintage aesthetics with modern precision.  

The Evanta Barchetta powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of delivering 450 horsepower in its standard form — or an astonishing 780 when supercharged. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Behind it stood Evanta Motors, a boutique British manufacturer founded by Ant Anstead, whose passion for classic design and mechanical authenticity gave the brand its soul. In collaboration with Kahn Design, a firm renowned for bespoke automotive styling, Evanta developed cars that married elegance with engineering rigor. Anstead, later known for his television work on Wheeler Dealers and For the Love of Cars, built Evanta around the idea of recreating the romance of classic motoring through modern craftsmanship — and the Barchetta became the purest embodiment of that dream. 

The Evanta Barchetta is wrapped within a lightweight Kevlar body, supported by a tubular steel chassis designed for strength and agility. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Under its elegant skin, the Barchetta is anything but delicate. At its heart lies a 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of delivering 450 horsepower in its standard form — or an astonishing 780 when supercharged. This power is wrapped within a lightweight Kevlar body, supported by a tubular steel chassis designed for strength and agility. The result? A machine that moves with the precision of a scalpel and the soul of a vintage racer. For enthusiasts seeking even more exclusivity, an aluminium-bodied version was offered, pushing the craftsmanship — and the price — to new heights. 

The Evanta Barchetta envelops its driver in a time-capsule of luxury, where quilted leather, hand-stitched details, and subtle analog accents evoke an era when craftsmanship was true art. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

The numbers alone tell part of the story: less than 1000 kilograms of body weight and an available 800 bhp per ton power-to-weight ratio. But beyond the figures lies the philosophy of Evanta’s founder, Ant Anstead — a man driven by the romance of classic cars and the practicality of modern motoring. He envisioned a vehicle that could honor the charisma of the 1950s and 60s, yet spare its drivers the headaches of constant tinkering. “Today’s customer doesn’t want to open the bonnet,” he explained during the Barchetta’s debut at Goodwood Revival. “They want the thrill of the drive — the beauty, the connection — without the compromise.” 

The Evanta Barchetta conceals its modern engineering beneath nostalgic charm, combining adjustable suspension, advanced braking and cooling systems, and a choice of manual or automatic transmission to deliver a driving experience that is both tactile and refined. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

That balance between old and new became the Barchetta’s defining identity. Inside, the cabin feels like stepping into a time capsule wrapped in luxury. Quilted leather, hand-stitched detailing, and minimalist analog touches transport the driver back to an era when craftsmanship was an art form. Hidden beneath that nostalgic charm, however, lies a thoroughly modern setup — from adjustable suspension and bias-adjustable disc brakes to advanced cooling systems and a modern ECU. Whether paired with a manual gearbox for purists or an automatic for smooth cruisers, the Barchetta delivers an experience that’s both tactile and refined. 

The Evanta Barchetta was produced in a deliberately limited run of just 99 hand-built, individually tuned examples. (Picture from: ClassicDriver)

Production of the Evanta Barchetta was intentionally limited — only 99 units were ever planned, each one hand-built and individually tuned. This wasn’t a car meant for the masses. It was for those who appreciated the rare blend of performance and artistry, who wanted to feel connected not just to a machine, but to a story — one that began in the golden age of racing and continues to resonate through modern engineering. | r8A7ffSTxRc | e26JU-4eAYs | x3AznJnwwpk |

Looking back now, the Evanta Barchetta feels even more significant than it did upon its 2015 debut. In a decade increasingly defined by electric mobility and autonomous technology, the Barchetta stands as a reminder of motoring’s emotional core. It’s not merely a nod to the past, but a statement that passion and craftsmanship will always have a place in the future of design. Every roar of its V8, every glint of its curved bodywork, and every mile driven becomes a tribute to the timeless pursuit of beauty in motion. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOIS SOURCES | AUTOCAR | MOTORAUTHORITY | SUPERCARWORLD | CLASSICDRIVER | CLASSICMOBILIA | WIKIPEDIA | MARKETRIDERS.IN ]

Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.